Apparatus for steam cleaning and greasing of bearings



Nov. 27, 1934. J, E. SHEPHERD APPARATUS FOR STEAM CLEANING AND GREASING OF BEARINGS Filed on. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 4m m H mm v e "u 7 Wk A ,0, MW J k H 5 M 2 H 9- /A z a a .02 1 Z Nov. 27, 1934. 1,982,325

APPARATUS FOR STEAM CLEANING AND GREASING 0F BEARINGS J. E. SHEPHERD Filed' Oct. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jo $21232 rd MM DQQANW ATTORNEY .Patented Nov. 21, 1934 PATENT OFFICE APPQRATUS FOR STEAM AND GREASING OF BEABJNGS John E. Shepherd, charlmsvine-va, .assi'gnor to National Cold Steam Company, Va, a corporation of Delaware Application October 16,

25 Claims.

My present invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for the greasing of bearings and more especially the greasing of spring bearings, knuckles and the like in automobiles, and

analogous uses.

tofo e possible with such known systems and,

secondly, the utilization of heat to soften such hard greases to a sufliciently plastic state as to permit'the said grease to be readily introduced into .the bearings at reasonable pressures, and thirdly, the provision of means in my present system whereby such joints as are to be lubricated may be thoroughly steam cleaned, and heated so as to encompass the previous removal of all old grease and caked dirt in such joints or bearings prior; to the introduction of a new charge.

The main advantage in my system is that I am enabled to'utilize steam, through a specially designed apparatus, at suitable pressures, to clean the-joints of old grease, to melt the hard new grease for the introduction into bearings, knuckles, etc., and to put pressure upon said .softened grease to force it into the hearings. Thus, I have found joints so lubricated are cleaned of and grit and are packed with a grease suiilciently plastic, upon introduction, through the use of heat, thereafter to harden in the joint and bearings upon cooling, and to provide lubrication that, withstands the tendency to extrude and drop away, and in this respect is better than the softer greases heretofore used incold state,

- and to thoroughly protect such bearings when a boiler, not shown, and from this source of steam,

heat is brought to a grease container 1 in which is located a grease softening steam'coil-2, the

, ends 3 and 4 of which are connected to the boiler supply whereby' to keep a, constant circulation of steam within thecoil 2,115 desired.

The container 1 may be filled with a hard packing grease of a paraflin or parowax base .prefer-' 'provided with a grease conducting exit pipe 16 .the flexible connection to the; usual interlocking Charlottesville,

1929, Serial No. 400,054 (01.184-1) ably mixed with a suitable grade of finely divided graphite, which, when in a cold state, is normally 'fairly hard, and in non-heated state is virtually non-plastic and therefore not readily fiowable except under extremely high pressures.

By the introduction of steam in the coil 2, the hard grease within the container, not shown, is reducedto a fluid or plastic state and-is withdrawn as required from the container 1 by'means of a duct or pipe connection, generally denoted as 5. This duct connection, having one end in communication with the bottom of the container, leads at its other end, as shown, into the heated grease pressure applying means generally denoted by 6, and this will now'be described. I

The pressure applying means comprises an outer casing or steam jacket '7, through a boss 14 of which said duct 5 passes, and in the interior of which is suitably mounted an inner piston chamber ,8, the upper end of which is open and receivably mounts therein for reciprocation, a piston element or head 9, having a guiding stem as shown, operating in a spider guide ring 43 as shown inFig. 1. l

Below the piston 9 and within the cylinder 8 is a piston returning spring 10, the bottom thereof resting upon the closed bottom 11 of the cylinder 8 and supportably and resiliently holding the pismu 9 upward. v p

The outer casing '7 is provided with a steam- -tight cylinder head 12 and is held in operative steam as previously described, but not shown.

The lower closed end of the piston cylinder 8' is which is in turn connected, through various jointed connections A; B and C, to an extension 17 thereof, whereby the grease is conducted to a fiexible tubular extension 18, Fig. 2, one end of which tube is suitably attached to the-nozzle head 19, as at 19', Fig. 2, and the otherend of which carries thereon the usual bayonet grease cup attachment 2!) for quickly and eifectively connecting type of grease nipple, in the usual manner.

The foregoing described grease conducting con-" nection is surrounded by an outer casing or piping 21 thereby forming a steam chamber thereabout so that steam from the duct 15 when it enters into the ca ing 7 will flow about the piston cylinders; 110

in the steam space 22 formed therein, and thence through the steam space 23 formed about the duct 16, and thence is conducted through a secondary duct 24 which is controlled by a valve 25, the other end of which valve has connected to it a flexible connection 26 which also has on its outer end a bayonet steam connector 2'7, as previously described for the grease connection 18.

The continuation of the surrounding steam chamber or ducts 2122 and 23 as shown in Fig. 1 is made up of various suitable removablepipe connections A, B, and 0 whereby to admit of attachment and detachment of the nozzle 19 for cleansing and replacement, and the outer 'construction of the connections A, B; and C, Fig; 1, are suitably contoured to form a steam chamber about the grease conduits whereby the grease may be kept warm or plastic or fluid until it is emitted fromthe nozzle 19 into the bearings.

For manipulating the grease nozzle as in Fig.

2, which showsan enlarged sectional view of the said nozzle, there is disclosed a handle 29,-Figs. 1 and 2, which passes through a stufling box connection 30, and the inner end of the handle is provided with a rigidly aflixed valve needle 31, one end thereof being suitably pinned or almxed to the handle 29 by means of a dowel 32, and is provided at its intermediate portion with a. thread 33, to engage with the associate threaded bore 33', the outer end thereof being extended intoa stem form and having a tapering valve closing end 34 thereon which cooperates with a port 35 in the grease duct 1'1, so that as desired, the valve handle 29 may be rotated to close or open the port 35 to permit the passage of grease thereby and into the flexible connector 18.

At about the valve end 34 the nozzle is provided with a steam extension 36 or shell which surrounds the needle valve 34, steam being admitted through the passage 3'7 which is an extension of the duct 21 so that, duringuse, steam at all times is present about the valveto prevent hardening and; caking of the hard grease and to keep it fluid. Steani, however, does not enter the needle valve chamber as it is blocked therefrom but grease is admitted through the port 17, Fig. 2, into the needle valve chamber, generally denoted by 38, there to flow through the valve port 35 to 18, as described. L From the outer steam casing or duct 37 extends the steam duct 24 controlled by the valve 25, whereby steam may be introduced into the joint about to be greased thereby to melt out and thoroughly clean the said joints or bearings prior to greasing. This valve 25 also serves for exhaust purposes, to ensure movement of steam from the inlet valve 39 along the heating passages.

In the operation of my device the bayonet steam connector 27 is aflxed to the grease connection on the'bearing, not shown, .and the valve 25 operated=to permit steam to pass thereby interiorly blowing the joint or bearing clean of all hardened, cakedgrease and grit and thoroughly cleansing the interior of bearing and warming the same. Thereafter the steam is shut off by valve 25 and this connection removed and the greasing con-m nection 20 is' applied to the bearing fitting, and. the valve 33 is backed off to open'the port 35 and the steam valve 39, 1, previously opened, pergrease through the ducts 16, 17 and through port 35 to the connector 20 and into the bearing. Said duct 5 is controlled by a' check valve 40. When suiiicientgrease has been introduced into the bearing, the needle valve 35 is closed, shutting off the valve 40 opens due to relief of pressure the piston cylinder 8 is then refilled with molten grease, after which the system is again put in operation as often as' required.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a greasing apparatus of the class described, a grease container, a heating coil therein, means for applying heat to said coil to soften the grease contents of said container, a grease holding cylinder in connection with said container, a steam actuated piston means in said cylinder for expelling the grease therefrom, a grease conducting duct leading from said grease containing cylinder, said duct being controlled by a valved nozzle for opening and closing said nozzle to per Y mit or stop expulsion of grease therefrom, and communicating heating jackets surroundingsaid grease containing cylinder, said grease conducting duct and said greasing noz'zle. I

2. In combination, a container for holding a supply of grease; a piston in said container; flexible connections having means for attachment. to a grease nipple; a grease conductor extending between the said container and one of said flexible connections, means for directing steam under pressure onto the said piston, thence around and throughout the length and under the bottom of said container and thence around throughout the'length of said. grease conductor to the other of said flexible connections for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, a container for holding asupply. of grease; a piston in said container; flexible connections having means for attachment to a grease nipple; a grease conductorextending between the said container and one of said flexible connections, means for directing steam under pressure onto the said piston, thence around and throughout the length and under the bottom of ssaid container and thence around. throughout the'lengthof said grease conductor to the other of said flexible connections for the purpose set forth, \means for controlling the movements of the steam and grease, means for venting the container, and automatic means for restoring the piston to the normal position.

4. In combination, a grease container, aheating, coil therein, a cylinder having a heating chamber extending therearound; said.chamber having an axial extension; a guide in said extension; valved means for filling said cylinder from said container, a piston yieldingly supported at the top of said cylinder, a rod extending from said piston into said extension and through said guide to maintain said piston level in saidcylinder; a flexible connection having means for attachment to an interlocking grease nipple, a grease conductor extending from said cylinder to said flexible connection; means for directing a heating fluid from'the heating chamber of said cylinder around and throughout the length of sa d r as 1:0

conductor, a means 1 Venting 881d cylinder having communication with its jacket whereby and means for controlling-the flow of grease and steam from the jacket acts on the piston to force heating fluid respectively to said nipplethe sameiorwardly; the com'munication'between -5. In apparatus for cleaning and greasing the cylinder andjacket being behind the piston. 5 hani al pa tsj mprisins in c mbi at c s 14. In combination, means for holding melted supply means; a gr container and 8 m grease including an exit duct; an outer piping for condu grease fr m the container t0 around said duct; a tubular nozzle head having m anic p means for pp y eehtiml-v a' discharge port; a valve to close said port and ous flow of heat around said container and around having 9, h dl id-head communicating ith I 10 said conduit throughout its length to maintain said exit duct; a, passage from said outer piping the grease at the P cy; and conneesurrounding said exitduct and said head, and tions for selectively applying heat grease to having a'branch duct near said head; and flex said parts. ible connections from said port and branch duct 6. In apparatus for cleaning and greasing respectively.

'1 bea mp n in combination with 15.1In combination, means for holding grease 9o as tainer, a as ndu t adi from including an exit duct; a pressure steam passage said contain r; h tin m n surrounding said means comprising anouterpipings'urroundingsaid container and conduit to maintain the grease at it d t, tub fl nozzle head having a stufling D P consistency Pressure; and eennee- I box at one end,saidboxhavingcooperating exterior tions and Selective mean wh y Said bearings and interior threads, and a valve seat port at the 95 yb Subjected to the Pressure of heating fl other end; a valve needle in saidstuillngbox to clean the same and to 8 Subseque t p s and engageablewith said seat and having an exapplication of grease. terior handle and a threaded portion engaged 7- In a r a in pp atu a b r, a j et with said threads; a flexible extension on said for said chamber and providing an interposed head at said port and having an attachment a spa a h l w ext nsi n' n a d a t. a piston its free end for connection with a part to be luhaving a head disposed in said chamber, and a bricated; said head laterally communicating with P p mounted on said extension, S cha b said exit duct between .said seat and'thread,v being open at its rear end to receive steam from whereby valve-controlled grease mayflow out the jacket whereby to supply steam to the chamthroughsaid extension; a steam extension pas 105 vher for urging said. piston to eject grease from sage from said outer piping surrounding said said chamber, part oLthe steam being movable exit duct, and said head at said valve needle and through said spaceto maintain the grease in liqhaving a valved branch duct near saidport; a 1d ondition, e flexible connection forming an extension of said 8. In a lubricating apparatus comprising a branch duct ahdfprovided with a connector for grease containing chamber and having a jacket, connecting with a grease nipple.

there being a space between said chamber and 16. In combination, a melted grease supply said jacket, a grease delivery duct for, said chaxnchamber, a tubular nozzle head having a stufling her, a hollow extension on said jacket, a piston box at one end, intermediate'interior threads, and- 40 having a head disposed in said chamber; said a valve seat port at the other end; a valve needle chamber being open at its rear end to receive in said stufllng box and engageable with said seat steam from the jacket space, a guide stem carand having exterior handle and an exterior ried by said head and loosely disposed in said exthreaded portion engaged with said first threads tension, a steam pipe mounted on said extension a'flexible extension on said head at said port andcomrnunicating with t eqatter whereby to and having an attachment at its free end for .supply power to said piston for moving the same connection with a part to be lubricated; said in one direction to urge grease through said duct,. head having a lateral inlet duct between said part of the steam being movable through said seat and the first threads for communication with space to heat said chamber for maintaining the the melted grease supply whereby valve-congrease in liquid condition, and spring means dis trolled grease may flow'out through said exten- 125 posed within said chamber for moving said plssion; a pressure steam supply pipe; a steam supton in the opposite direction. ply means having an extension passage surround- I 9. In an apparatus according to claim 8, the ing said inhet duct and said head at said valve elements therein claimed. together with a. valve needle and having a valved branch duct near said 1 on the steam pipe for shutting 012 the steam subport; a flexible connection forming an extension sequent to movement 01' said piston in the first of said branch duct and provided with a conmentioned direction. Y nector for connectingwith agrease nipple, where- 10. In an apparatus according to claim 8, the by controlled pressure steam may heat said'chamelements therein,'claimed, "together with a valve ber, duct and nozzle and the grease therein and on the steampipe for shutting oi! the steam subbe simultaneously forced into' a joint or hearing 135 I sequent to movement of said piston in the first to melt and force out caked grease therein and mentioned direction, and-a relief valve for said to clean and heat the same for the reception of chamber to facilitate'movemen't of said piston in valve controlled grease passing out through said the second mentioned direction. duct, head and attachment while being heated by 11. In an apparatus according to claim 8, the said steam. e p

elements therein claimed, together with a pipe tor- 17. In combination, a piston chamber having supplying grease-to said chamber. an open end; a casing surrounding and spaced 12; In an apparatus according to claim 8, the from said open end to form a jacket'at said end; elements-therein claimed together with a pipe for a piston in said chamber; an inlet duct to the supplying; grease to said chamber through said interior of the chamber; an exit ductfrom said jacket, and a check valve for said latter pipe. chamber; means supplying pressure steam to 13. In a device of the kind described, a steam the interior of said jacket; a tubular nozzle head jacketed and piston provided cylinder, a steam having a discharge port and communicating. with V jacketed nozzle, and a steam jacketed conduit said exit duct.

75 connecting thecylinder and nozzle, said cylinder 18. In combination, a piston chamber having an open end; a casing surrounding and spaced from said chamber at sides and ends to form a jacket; a piston in said chamber; an exit duct from the interior of the chamber; and pressure steam passage means communicating with said chamber for heating grease therein and applying steam pressure to the piston.

19. In combination, a piston chamber haying an open end; a piston in said chamber having a piston stem; a tubular member wherein said stem is freely movable; an exit duct leading from the' interior of the chamber; and a pressure steam jacket extending from said member and surrounding and spaced from said chamber for heating grease in the chamber and applying steam pressure to the piston; and guide means in said member for said stem.

20. In combination, a piston chamber having an open end and a closed end; a casing surrounding, and spaced from, said chamber on all sides thereof to form a steam jacket, and provided with a tubular extension coaxial with the chamber and having a rigid inner stem guide partly spaced from the walls of the extension; a piston in said chamber having a piston'stem guided in said guide; a spring compressed between the piston and said closed end to hold the piston retracted; an inlet duct for melted hard grease extending through said jacket to the interior of the piston chamber and having a check valve therein; an exit duct extending from said chamber through the jacket; and a'valved pipe communicating with the outer end of said extension,

whereby controlled pressure steam may fill said I jacket and press upon the piston; whereby grease may be pressed from the chamber through the exit duct, and pressure steam may surround and heat said chamber.

21. An apparatus for delivering a lubricant to bearings comprising in combination a grease container including a cylinder having an open end, a nozzle communicating with the other end of said cylinder; a piston mounted in said cylinder at said end; means enclosing said container and providing around the latter a space, means through said nozzle,,said steam adapted also to melt the grease, and spring means for returning said piston.

22. An apparatus for delivering a lubricant to bearings comprising in combination a grease con tainer including a cylinder having an open end, a

nozzle communicating with the other end of said cylinder; a piston mounted in said cylinder at said end; means enclosing said container and providing around the latter a space,- means mounted on said inclosing means and communicating with said space for delivering steam under pressure'thereto whereby to move said piston to the second mentioned end for urging grease through said nozzle, said steam adapted also. to melt the grease, -manipulable control meansfor said nozzle, and spring means for returning said piston to the first mentioned end.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, in which said inclosing means provided with a steam release duct, and manipulable control means for said duct.

24. The combination of an apparatus which includes a container having an inwardly movable end, a nozzle, hollow conductors connecting said container and said nozzle, for holding hard grease; means including a steam container, which said conductors and said nozfle in spaced relation and connecting with said steam container; means including the first mentioned means for moving said end inwardly to deliver the melted grease through the nozzle; and means for cleaning the bearings; said latter means also including the first mentioned means, there being a duct on the second mentioned container for delivering steam to perform the cleaning operation.

25. An apparatus'for treating used bearings comprising in combination a container for holding hard grease, means for passing steam under pressure along and around said "container to maintain the grease heated, means including the first mentioned means for forcing the steam through the bearings, whereby to warm said bearings and clean old grease therefrom; and means for causing the steam,to force the melted grease into the cleaned bearings; the first mentioned grease being adapted to harden on said.

bearings so that it may be automatically sup pliedto said bearings during subsequent use v thereof.

JOHN E. SHEPHERD. 

